Solid Wood Kitchen Cabinets Bloghttp://www.solidwoodkitchencabinets.co.uk/cabinets_blog
Mon, 19 Mar 2018 11:20:52 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=4.1.5Is Open Shelving Right for Your Kitchen?http://www.solidwoodkitchencabinets.co.uk/cabinets_blog/is-open-shelving-right-for-your-kitchen/
http://www.solidwoodkitchencabinets.co.uk/cabinets_blog/is-open-shelving-right-for-your-kitchen/#commentsMon, 19 Mar 2018 11:20:52 +0000http://www.solidwoodkitchencabinets.co.uk/cabinets_blog/?p=3758Open shelving has become more popular recently as many people are moving away from wall cabinets. Displaying items on shelving offers a modern, minimalistic aesthetic, and prevents a kitchen lacking personality. Whilst it looks fantastic on Instagram and Pinterest, will it work in your kitchen? Storage One of the main benefits of open shelving is […]

]]>Open shelving has become more popular recently as many people are moving away from wall cabinets. Displaying items on shelving offers a modern, minimalistic aesthetic, and prevents a kitchen lacking personality. Whilst it looks fantastic on Instagram and Pinterest, will it work in your kitchen?

Storage

One of the main benefits of open shelving is that your crockery is on show. Dedicate your space to your favourite or most stylish pieces, or have your most-used items close by and conveniently located. Shelves are also useful for filling spaces that are too small for cabinets.

However, shelving may offer less storage space than a similarly sized cabinet. The usability of these shelves – and what you will put on them – needs to be considered before you decide if they are a practical addition to your home.

Adding Space

Opting for open shelving can make your kitchen feel airier and larger than it would with wall cabinets. The breezy feel is especially true for smaller cooking areas – your space can be made brighter and more appealing by replacing cabinets with shelves. Not only will you notice the difference, but your kitchen will feel more open and welcoming for guests too. Shelves imbue a relaxed kitchen style, and guests will not need to ask where your mugs or crockery are kept.

More Affordable

You may be thinking of switching to open shelves for a more practical reason. Shelves are a great choice if you are upgrading on a budget, as they are usually more affordable than whole cabinets. Our wooden kitchen shelves start from just £9.50 each, and our stylish floating shelves begin at just £20 each. We stock a range of sizes to allow these products to be suitable for your kitchen.

All of our shelves are supplied with sufficient fixings and supports. Before you decide whether open shelves are suitable for your kitchen, you will need to ensure that the wall can support enough weight. If you currently have cabinets on the wall, it is more than likely that you will be able to put shelves up instead.

Try It Before Committing

See if open shelves work in your kitchen by removing your cabinet doors. As a good halfway step, it will help you decide whether to choose cabinetry or shelves. Should you choose to leave the cabinets in place and the doors off, the back of the cabinet will provide a place to add a splash of colour or pattern.

Open shelves are worth considering if you want to display your items on show. Would you choose shelves in your kitchen? Let us know below, or on Twitter and Facebook!

]]>http://www.solidwoodkitchencabinets.co.uk/cabinets_blog/is-open-shelving-right-for-your-kitchen/feed/0Ultra Violet in the Kitchen: How to Incorporate Pantone’s Colour of the Year 2018 in Your Cook Spacehttp://www.solidwoodkitchencabinets.co.uk/cabinets_blog/ultra-violet-in-kitchen-incorporate-pantones-colour-of-the-year-2018/
http://www.solidwoodkitchencabinets.co.uk/cabinets_blog/ultra-violet-in-kitchen-incorporate-pantones-colour-of-the-year-2018/#commentsFri, 16 Mar 2018 11:14:21 +0000http://www.solidwoodkitchencabinets.co.uk/cabinets_blog/?p=3745Pantone is a world-renowned authority on colour, and every year it chooses a paint shade as the Colour of the Year for the upcoming 12 months. In 2018, Pantone’s colour is the aptly named Ultra Violet which – it says – is complex, contemplative and suggests the mysteries of the cosmos. It is a beautiful […]

]]>Pantone is a world-renowned authority on colour, and every year it chooses a paint shade as the Colour of the Year for the upcoming 12 months. In 2018, Pantone’s colour is the aptly named Ultra Violet which – it says – is complex, contemplative and suggests the mysteries of the cosmos. It is a beautiful deep purple colour that is a brave choice, and it may appear to be too intense for a kitchen. A few small touches of this hue will add texture and vibrancy to your cooking area, imbuing a contemporary and up-to-the-minute feel.

Credit : Wayfair

Chairs

Chairs are sometimes overlooked in a kitchen diner, but they can provide an eye-catching pop of colour – especially as they may well be one of the most-used items in your eating area. There are an almost unlimited number of styles available and options to fit all budgets, so chairs are one of the easiest ways to brighten up your space.

These purple dining chairs offer a simple, contemporary design that will make an eye-catching statement in an otherwise neutral kitchen. Alternatively, a purple fabric chair will be very easy to update when Pantone releases Colour of the Year 2019.

Credit : Ideal Home

Paint

Creating a feature wall is another way to draw attention to your kitchen and introduce colour without it being overwhelming. A vivid shade can modernise a cooking area without any other changes, or why not echo your cooking – and the purpose of the kitchen – by opting for an enigmatic colour that inspires exploration? A benefit of painting or wallpapering a feature wall is that you will not need to replace the cabinets and worktops when you decide to update.

Credit : Pantone

Crockery

Celebrate Pantone’s Colour of the Year by having Ultra Violet mugs out on display. The dramatic and rich colour will add elegance to a kitchen, despite the mugs’ fairly small size. Pantone mugs are famous for their wide, uninterrupted tonal block. Mugs are usually replaced less frequently than other kitchenware and accessories, and these particular ones are also durable enough to survive many rinses in the dishwasher.

Credit : Amazon

Clock

You will never misread the time again with this striking clock from Benefitsheen, which features a purple background and crisp white digits. Clocks are a fantastic way to introduce a brighter colour like Pantone’s Ultra Violet shade because they can create a focal point in the room – and most are affordable too. With large, chunky numbers in a sans-serif font, this particular timepiece will suit modern and contemporary kitchens. Updating your clock would work equally well if it is the only change you make, or when paired with similar coloured accessories.

Credit : Amazon

Accessories

Small accessories can be the best way to update your kitchen, as they provide playful splashes of colour without requiring a large spend. Even utensils like cooking spoons, spatulas and knives are sufficient to liven up a cooking space, and the bursts of purple will entice you to use the accessories regularly. Kettles, bread bins and many other items can also be bought in a colour similar to Ultra Violet, should you decide that silicone spoons are not vibrant enough.

Large appliances

Those looking for a more dramatic option may be brave enough to go bold with a statement appliance. Larger, more costly and often requiring specialist installation, large statement appliances are not so easily replaceable, so will need to be researched thoroughly and only considered if you are sure you will love this look for a long time. In the kitchen shown here, the range and extractor hood are purple while the rest of the cook space is kept in neutral tones. The worktop is our beautiful Full Stave Prime Oak surface. Having a feature appliance like this will automatically draw people in and become a talking point, and it suggests that the owner likes to cook frequently.

There are many different ways to incorporate Pantone’s Colour of the Year in your kitchen, and most are easy and affordable to achieve. Would you go Ultra Violet in your cooking area? Let us know in the comments, or on Facebook or Twitter!

]]>http://www.solidwoodkitchencabinets.co.uk/cabinets_blog/ultra-violet-in-kitchen-incorporate-pantones-colour-of-the-year-2018/feed/0Eco Kitchen Ideas for Your Homehttp://www.solidwoodkitchencabinets.co.uk/cabinets_blog/eco-kitchen-ideas-for-your-home/
http://www.solidwoodkitchencabinets.co.uk/cabinets_blog/eco-kitchen-ideas-for-your-home/#commentsMon, 12 Mar 2018 11:49:21 +0000http://www.solidwoodkitchencabinets.co.uk/cabinets_blog/?p=3737Kitchens, worktops and appliances are no longer simply chosen for their looks as more people are beginning to consider the environmental implications of their choices. Green credentials are a fare higher priority now, and there are a few different ways to achieve a stunning kitchen without damaging the environment. As more people are choosing to […]

]]>Kitchens, worktops and appliances are no longer simply chosen for their looks as more people are beginning to consider the environmental implications of their choices. Green credentials are a fare higher priority now, and there are a few different ways to achieve a stunning kitchen without damaging the environment. As more people are choosing to eat fresh and green foods, it makes sense to have a kitchen that matches this Earth-friendly focus.

Worktops

A new worktop will transform your kitchen, and our range of solid wood worktops combines high quality and affordable prices. On top of that, all our worktops are sustainably harvested, and many have FSC or PEFC certification. The most sustainable worktops in our collection are our bamboo or caramel bamboo surfaces.Bamboo grows incredibly quickly and is fully mature much faster than any of the timbers in our range as it is actually a grass. Durable and stylish, bamboo worktops will suit many different kitchen styles.

Upcycling and reusing

If your kitchen is starting to look a bit tired and needs an upgrade, it might only take a new coat of paint or different handles to freshen it up. This is a very affordable way of renovating, and you will not be using any extra products. Alternatively, you could recycle old household products that are no longer used or salvage items that are destined for the scrapheap. Often, there is nothing wrong with many things that are thrown out – the patina that develops on heavily used items or worn paint can work very well in an industrial or rustic style, and some products can be given a fresh lease of life witha quick sand and a coat of paint.

Should you decide you want to replace your kitchen cabinetry or doors, our cabinets and frontals are created from sustainably harvested solid oak and can last for years with the correct treatment and care.

Recycling and saving energy

There are finite natural resources on earth, so using them frugally and economically is becoming more and more important. Recycling as much as possible is one way to reduce your carbon footprint, along with choosing products that use less harmful packaging, and using a food waste or compost bin to ensure that nothing natural goes to landfill.

Modern appliances generally use far less energy than older models, so you could contribute to saving the planet – and your money – by picking an energy-efficient version. Household appliances are usually ranked between A+++ and F, with A+++ offering the highest efficiency, so the least energy is wasted.

Natural fabrics

Fabrics add texture, warmth and personality to a kitchen, and natural ones are available with smaller environmental footprints. Fabric for stools and seats, throws, oven gloves and tea towels can all be made sustainably, so selecting these items will be better for the environment than synthetic, man-made versions. Cloths and tea towels can be used for soaking up spills and wiping dirt off surfaces as a more environmentally friendly option than disposable paper towels. Instead of throwing each one out, the same cloth can be used and washed hundreds of times.

Go green

One of the best ways to have a natural, eco-friendly kitchen is to include plants – growing your own herbs and vegetables is a great cost-saving exercise that also helps to reduce your carbon footprint. Herbs need next to no maintenance, and the greenery will lift your kitchen and make it feel purer and more organic – if you have the space, growing your own vegetables is another great option.

You can create a natural kitchen easily and without making drastic changes. This is a style that will be popular for a long time, because sustainability and eating fresh are becoming more important. Have you got a very nature-focused kitchen? Share it in the comments below, or via our Facebook and Twitter pages.

]]>http://www.solidwoodkitchencabinets.co.uk/cabinets_blog/eco-kitchen-ideas-for-your-home/feed/0The Best Gold Kitchen Accessorieshttp://www.solidwoodkitchencabinets.co.uk/cabinets_blog/the-best-gold-kitchen-accessories/
http://www.solidwoodkitchencabinets.co.uk/cabinets_blog/the-best-gold-kitchen-accessories/#commentsFri, 09 Mar 2018 16:43:55 +0000http://www.solidwoodkitchencabinets.co.uk/cabinets_blog/?p=3721Thinking of creating an elegant and opulent look in your kitchen with gold-toned accents which are currently enjoying a revival? Accessories and smaller items are a great way to enhance your cooking area without being overwhelming, and there are many different products available if you are thinking of adding a few gold kitchen touches. Credit: […]

]]>Thinking of creating an elegant and opulent look in your kitchen with gold-toned accents which are currently enjoying a revival? Accessories and smaller items are a great way to enhance your cooking area without being overwhelming, and there are many different products available if you are thinking of adding a few gold kitchen touches.

Credit: : Mimosa Lane

Gold To The Touch

Updating the handles on your cabinets is a low-cost way to give the heart of your home an upgrade. Handles are an easy, low-risk option for introducing gold into your kitchen – if they work, additional items in the metallic shade could be introduced, but replacement handles are inexpensive if you decide they are not right.

In this kitchen, brass handles add a luxurious feel to the grey cabinets and wooden worktop. Replicate a similar look to this by choosing our solid oak drawer and door frontals, painted in a colour such as Farrow & Ball’s Plummett, and our solid black American walnut worktops.

Credit: Decorista Daydreams

Liquid Gold

If gold handles alone are not enough, consider taking the metallic one step further with brass and gold-effect taps. Taps are often considered as a good pairing to handles, because together they add a touch of elegance without being prohibitively expensive. Gold can be used in a subtle way to lift a neutral kitchen and add eye-catching style – the kitchen shown is a fantastic example of this as the clean, fresh white used is punctuated by gold accents.

Gold On The Ceiling

Bathe your kitchen in a warming, summery glow with a gold ceiling pendant light, which will look fantastic on its own or as part of a gold colour scheme. Pendant lights can work especially well over an island if used as a statement piece. The kitchen shown here provides a great example of this, featuring our full stave prime oak worktops – the island is lit up by dramatic swirled lamps that are completely different to the spotlights used elsewhere.

Credit: La Cafetiere

Pot of Gold

Small accessories – like this cafetiere – will not only add a spark of gilded colour into your home, but they can be affordable enough to update when trends and styles change. In this respect, they could be the only thing you might ever need to change, provided your kitchen uses otherwise neutral tones. Despite its small size, the cafetiere adds a noticeable zip of colour and elegance, even in a small kitchen.

Credit:

Golden touches

For an even more affordable way to introduce gold to your kitchen, choosing gold and brass-toned crockery and kitchenware is easily changeable when the time comes. You could opt for utensils, glasses, plates or a wide range of other products, which are all available in high-street stores.

These gold-coloured patterned kitchenware items, for example, will make every mealtime feel special with their elegant designs.

Gold kitchens are likely to become more popular this year, but would you decorate your home with it? Tell us below, or message us on Facebook and Twitter.

]]>http://www.solidwoodkitchencabinets.co.uk/cabinets_blog/the-best-gold-kitchen-accessories/feed/0Take Inspiration From These 70s Kitchen Ideashttp://www.solidwoodkitchencabinets.co.uk/cabinets_blog/take-inspiration-from-these-70s-kitchen-ideas/
http://www.solidwoodkitchencabinets.co.uk/cabinets_blog/take-inspiration-from-these-70s-kitchen-ideas/#commentsTue, 06 Mar 2018 16:52:50 +0000http://www.solidwoodkitchencabinets.co.uk/cabinets_blog/?p=3715The 1970s may not be remembered as the best decade for interior décor, but styles from the period are slowly taking over our homes. A completely 70s kitchen may be a step too far, but there are a number of ways to evoke the looks of the time without going for a completely retro theme, […]

]]>The 1970s may not be remembered as the best decade for interior décor, but styles from the period are slowly taking over our homes. A completely 70s kitchen may be a step too far, but there are a number of ways to evoke the looks of the time without going for a completely retro theme, with influences from the decade brightening up and adding interest to a contemporary kitchen.

Credit: Apartment Therapy

Looking Peachy

A lot of the colours favoured in the 1970s were bold, dramatic shades, but a peach or pink colour can be used to subtly introduce the style for a warm and inviting feel. Pair these pale colours with dark cabinets or worktops to evoke 70s kitchen style. This is a popular way to add colour without it overwhelming a room – consider Farrow & Ball’s Cinder Rose or Setting Plaster to recreate the look in the image shown here. Brighter colours such as Yellowcake or Charlotte’s Locks will suit smaller areas or a feature wall, but could be overpowering if used too liberally.

Credit: Pinterest

All That Glitters Is Gold

Gold was the metal of choice throughout the 1970s, and was often used in glamorous and decadent-looking fixtures, lighting and accessories. Warm metallics have seen a resurgence in popularity through the last couple of years, and it looks as though gold is back as a firm favourite. Whether you prefer a bolder use, or want to limit its use to just a couple of accessories – like taps, utensils or light fittings – gold is sure to evoke a 70s kitchen feel.

Credit: Ideal Home

Hot lime

If a whole kitchen redesign is out of the question, carefully chosen accessories will really set the style off – and are much easier to replace when trends change. The otherwise neutral scheme pictured here is given a pop of colour with matching lime-coloured accessories and small appliances – combined with their retro style, they give a subtle nod to the 70s kitchen. The dark wooden worktop is also perfect for a 70s kitchen setting so, if you are considering this style, we would recommend choosing a worktop such as our walnut, iroko or wenge surfaces.

Credit: Dining Room Lighting

Lighting

Lighting is another great way to create a 1970s feel without needing to redesign your entire kitchen. The classic retro pendant lampshade is a perfect choice, and the ones pictured here are painted in different pastel colours and feature a shiny copper element, accentuating the lights and offering a slightly luxurious feel. For more of a 70s feel, clear or frosted glass options would work well.

Can you think of any 70s kitchen styles that deserve to make a comeback which have not bee included in our list? Do you have any of these in your kitchen? Let us know in the comments, or tag us in your pictures on Facebook and Instagram.

]]>http://www.solidwoodkitchencabinets.co.uk/cabinets_blog/take-inspiration-from-these-70s-kitchen-ideas/feed/0The ‘Snow’ Must Go Onhttp://www.solidwoodkitchencabinets.co.uk/cabinets_blog/the-snow-must-go-on/
http://www.solidwoodkitchencabinets.co.uk/cabinets_blog/the-snow-must-go-on/#commentsFri, 02 Mar 2018 14:55:38 +0000http://www.solidwoodkitchencabinets.co.uk/cabinets_blog/?p=3707You may have seen that we were in the news earlier this week as one of our delivery vans got caught in the wake of the ‘Beast from the East’ – otherwise known as Storm Emma – on its way back to our Gloucestershire base. Credit: Gloucestershire Live We spoke to our transport team to […]

]]>You may have seen that we were in the news earlier this week as one of our delivery vans got caught in the wake of the ‘Beast from the East’ – otherwise known as Storm Emma – on its way back to our Gloucestershire base.

Credit: Gloucestershire Live

We spoke to our transport team to find out what happened and discovered – most importantly – that our delivery drivers were unharmed, and that a 4×4 kindly towed them to safety. As the van was travelling home along the A40 it was caught by a gust of wind which caused it to slide across the road into the grass verge. Our transport manager explained, “The van was empty, which makes them very light and they do get blown about a lot – combined with the bad weather, our delivery team could not have done anything to prevent what happened.”

The police arrived and were shortly followed by a 4×4 with a rope, which pulled our van back to safety, meaning our drivers were able to get back to our depot and head home. Committed to their work, the drivers have been back on the roads again making deliveries, and in the same van too! Our transport department continues to work hard to ensure the safety of all our delivery drivers, but we hope it goes to show, we are committed to making deliveries to ensure our customers get their orders as scheduled.

]]>http://www.solidwoodkitchencabinets.co.uk/cabinets_blog/the-snow-must-go-on/feed/0Spend £2,000 or More and Save £200!http://www.solidwoodkitchencabinets.co.uk/cabinets_blog/spend-2000-or-more-and-save-200/
http://www.solidwoodkitchencabinets.co.uk/cabinets_blog/spend-2000-or-more-and-save-200/#commentsThu, 01 Mar 2018 10:27:22 +0000http://www.solidwoodkitchencabinets.co.uk/cabinets_blog/?p=3697Throughout March, you can save £200 when you purchase our kitchen cabinets and worktops great news if you are planning a kitchen upgrade. If you are planning on spending £2,000 or more, you can save a generous £200 in our spring sale, and this offer includes almost all products on our website. Getting the discount […]

]]>Throughout March, you can save £200 when you purchase our kitchen cabinets and worktops great news if you are planning a kitchen upgrade. If you are planning on spending £2,000 or more, you can save a generous £200 in our spring sale, and this offer includes almost all products on our website.

Getting the discount applied is incredibly simple – all you need to do is add the products you want to your online shopping cart and enter the code SAVE200 in the checkout. If you would prefer to order via telephone, email or in person at one of our showrooms, you can still claim the saving by quoting the discount code to our helpful sales advisors.

This offer is not around for long so do not delay in making your purchase. Orders placed between now and 11:59pm on Saturday, March 31st 2018 are eligible for this generous saving as long as the SAVE200 discount is applied.

Please note that delivery costs are not included in this offer, and the discount code will only be applied once per account. Visit our current offers page for full terms and conditions. You can also keep up to date with our latest offers by following us on Facebook and Twitter.

]]>http://www.solidwoodkitchencabinets.co.uk/cabinets_blog/spend-2000-or-more-and-save-200/feed/07 Ways to Bring Patterns into Your Kitchenhttp://www.solidwoodkitchencabinets.co.uk/cabinets_blog/7-ways-to-bring-patterns-into-your-kitchen/
http://www.solidwoodkitchencabinets.co.uk/cabinets_blog/7-ways-to-bring-patterns-into-your-kitchen/#commentsMon, 26 Feb 2018 16:47:40 +0000http://www.solidwoodkitchencabinets.co.uk/cabinets_blog/?p=3688Freshen your kitchen up with a patterned design this spring, which adds extra visual texture and lifts a space up. Many of the options listed below are easy to add to your cooking area and require little effort to fit. There is something for every budget when you are upgrading your kitchen, so the work […]

]]>Freshen your kitchen up with a patterned design this spring, which adds extra visual texture and lifts a space up. Many of the options listed below are easy to add to your cooking area and require little effort to fit. There is something for every budget when you are upgrading your kitchen, so the work can be completed without costing the earth.

Tiles

One of the best things about tiles is that they work really well in both small spaces and larger areas. A vibrant tiled splashback might only cover a portion of the wall above your hobs, but it will make a surprisingly big difference to the atmosphere and add an interesting central focus point. This is also true for tiling an entire wall, but this is a more extravagant way to create this look because the extra tiles will cost more. Moroccan themes are on-trend right now and patterned tiles are a strong part of this look. Read our blog to achieving a Moroccan kitchen for more inspiration.

Using different layouts for tiles can also create a distinctive patterned look. Metro or subway tiles are usually laid horizontally with a half-brick overlap – like a brick wall – but you could choose to mix this up by laying them vertically, changing the amount of overlap or laying them in a chevron-shaped ‘herringbone’ style, which looks fantastic in a range of kitchen settings. Hexagonal, square or geometric tiles are also worth considering if you would like something a bit unusual.

Worktops

Often a worktop is used as a base for a kitchen design, and more vivid or patterned elements are chosen to contrast with a kitchen’s prep space. Choose the right worktop and you will be able to enjoy the natural patterns from a wooden, stone or metal surface. For a truly striking surface, check out our zebrano worktops, which are available in standard, deluxe and full-stave options and have an extraordinary striped pattern that resembles a zebra’s coat. Order a sample to experience this material’s unique natural appeal.

Flooring

Flooring also provides a brilliant opportunity to include patterns and extra textuality. Wooden floorboards suit all styles because there are many different types available – varying woods, finishes and patinas all add distinctive character to your floor. Another option is to use the floor as the centrepiece of your new kitchen design – like in the kitchen shown here. The cabinetry is painted in a restrained navy blue while the tiled walls are glossy white, and the floor ties these two colours together in an eye-catching pattern.

If a whole new floor is out of the question, consider opting for a patterned rug. Even small, inexpensive rugs can lift a room and offer a noticeable contrast to your current scheme. Rugs come in every conceivable style, price and colour, making them especially handy if you fancy refreshing your kitchen fairly regularly.

Credit: Pinterest

Wallpaper

Whilst wallpapers are unsuitable for use as a splashback, but they can still take centre stage in your kitchen. Wallpapers come in so many different styles that you can create a unique finish and either match or contrast your appliances, cabinetry, worktops or accessories. In this kitchen, the neutral tones of the grey cabinets and thin, gloss white worktop are completely overshadowed by a lucid, unmissable blue-green wallpaper with natural images. The gingham checked blind adds further contrast and visual drama.

Credit: Bluebell Gray

Lighting

Well-chosen lampshades work twice as hard as other patterned items because they look great when the light is turned off, and then project beautiful designs throughout the room when it gets dark and the light is turned on. Lampshades can be hung low enough to sit in your eyeline, making them an integral part of a kitchen design. Again, a range of styles and themes are available, and all budgets are catered for too – and they are easy and low-cost to change should you wish to refresh your look.

Credit: quietclementine

Crockery and kitchenware

Jazz up mealtimes with colourful or patterned plates, like these hand-painted ones. Plenty of more subtle designs are available to gently introduce pattern into your kitchen theme, and smaller items like this can be matched or contrasted with other aspects. Show patterned crockery off by opting for shelving or our glass fronted cabinet doors.

Textiles and accessories

Just like with the crockery and kitchenware above, smaller accessories and textiles can make a huge difference for little cost. You could use anything from tea towels, cushions and throws to mugs, salt and pepper shakers or tea and coffee pots to add a zing of brightness, especially if the kitchen uses neutral tones for the walls and cabinets.

There are many inexpensive ways to add pattern to your kitchen, so freshening up the space and keeping it on trend is easy and affordable. How would you choose to add interior pattern to your kitchen?

]]>http://www.solidwoodkitchencabinets.co.uk/cabinets_blog/7-ways-to-bring-patterns-into-your-kitchen/feed/0Be Inspired By This Stunning Coastal Kitchenhttp://www.solidwoodkitchencabinets.co.uk/cabinets_blog/be-inspired-by-this-stunning-coastal-kitchen/
http://www.solidwoodkitchencabinets.co.uk/cabinets_blog/be-inspired-by-this-stunning-coastal-kitchen/#commentsFri, 23 Feb 2018 17:06:48 +0000http://www.solidwoodkitchencabinets.co.uk/cabinets_blog/?p=3630If you are dreaming of warmer weather and trips to the seaside, you might have considered a coastal kitchen design – especially as summer seems a while away! This kitchen, created by one of our customers, shows that a few touches are enough to bring a sunshine feel into your home, whatever the weather. Paint […]

]]>If you are dreaming of warmer weather and trips to the seaside, you might have considered a coastal kitchen design – especially as summer seems a while away! This kitchen, created by one of our customers, shows that a few touches are enough to bring a sunshine feel into your home, whatever the weather.

Paint

Painting your cabinetry in a light pastel colour like a blue or green is an easy and affordable way to add a coastal vibe to your cooking area. This kitchen is painted in Farrow & Ball’s Lulworth Blue, which channels Dorset’s gorgeous Lulworth Cove (shown below). Pastel colours are popular in both traditional and contemporary settings, and this kitchen shows how effective they can be in a more modern setting.

The full-height cabinets help to add extra height and depth, enhancing the breezy, carefree feeling of this beautiful prep space. The large surface area covered by this bright shade creates an incredibly refreshing aesthetic. This kitchen is a happy, warm space and a break from a more conservative and neutral style.

Contrasting worktop

Another aspect of this kitchen that adds to the coastal vibe are the worktops, which offer a striking and eye-catching warmth to the pastel cabinets. Our full-stave oak worktops are a fantastic choice – the wide staves and prime grade provide a truly elegant worktop that is incredibly durable and wear-resistant. With reflective properties and a lovely, almost sandy colour, you could say that the countertop represents a beach alongside the cabinets, which are painted in a shade inspired by the sea.

Holiday cottage touches

There are a few discrete touches in this kitchen that make it feel like a luxurious holiday retreat. The open-plan kitchen/diner design is laid out so that the oak dining table faces the full-height patio doors and out onto the manicured garden. These photos show that the garden is a suntrap and this setup makes the most of the features of the property whilst flooding the are with light. The dining area flows onto the patio outside and makes the space more inviting.

Meanwhile, the statement solid wood wine rack is huge and resembles the type of furnishing one might expect in a luxury holiday cottage. The kitchen is finished off with bright accessories to squeeze summer in wherever possible.

How to achieve a coastal kitchen

Besides the options above, there are a few affordable ways to create a seaside feel. Iridescent tiles offer a stunning shimmer effect, and they work just as well in a small space – like a splashback – and larger areas. Alternatively, a navy and white colour scheme is a timeless and popular theme for yachts, and the look can be enhanced by some nautical-inspired accessories, such as these quaint salt and pepper shakers or plates with subtle anchor motifs.

Another easy way to invite the seaside into your kitchen is to use thick stripes on blinds or bar stools, to replicate deck chairs and sun canopies. If these two options are prohibitively expensive, striped cushions and tea towels will subtly infer a nautical theme.

A coastal theme is fantastic all year round and will make your kitchen feel light and airy. This kitchen shows that achieving this style can be affordable and easy. What would you choose to include in your coastal kitchen?

]]>http://www.solidwoodkitchencabinets.co.uk/cabinets_blog/be-inspired-by-this-stunning-coastal-kitchen/feed/0Is a Statement Ceiling Right For Your Kitchen?http://www.solidwoodkitchencabinets.co.uk/cabinets_blog/is-a-statement-ceiling-right-for-your-kitchen/
http://www.solidwoodkitchencabinets.co.uk/cabinets_blog/is-a-statement-ceiling-right-for-your-kitchen/#commentsMon, 19 Feb 2018 12:35:25 +0000http://www.solidwoodkitchencabinets.co.uk/cabinets_blog/?p=3622If you are planning to update your kitchen, you will have probably considered changing furniture or cabinets, painting the walls or hanging a few pictures up – the latter is especially good for those on a budget. You may not have thought about updating your ceiling – as your kitchen’s fifth wall, this is a […]

]]>If you are planning to update your kitchen, you will have probably considered changing furniture or cabinets, painting the walls or hanging a few pictures up – the latter is especially good for those on a budget. You may not have thought about updating your ceiling – as your kitchen’s fifth wall, this is a fantastic way to make an impact. Out with the Artex, in with a statement ceiling!

Credit: Peticos

Colour

Colour is not just for walls, as these two images show. Painting the ceiling can create extra depth in a room, and provides a striking contrast against neutral walls. However, getting it right needs some thought, as it can otherwise look busy or make the ceiling look lower.

In these images, all the walls are a neutral shade. The teal colour of the right-hand image is topped off by matching accessories including the two chairs and a vase. The gloss finish is reminiscent of a tranquil sea for a calming effect. The vivid blue paint applied to the ceiling of the left-hand image adds a playful, modern touch to an otherwise quite rustic and traditional setting.

Credit: Apartment Therapy

Pattern

Another way to inject colour into your kitchen is to use a patterned wallpaper. It may be a break from conventional design, but it can add fun and movement to a kitchen that may otherwise have kept to white and off-white tones.

In this image, the ceiling is the first thing your eyes are drawn to, even with the vivid green island and decorative plates. The kitchen is a great size already but the pattern makes it feel even more expansive and airy. The white squares in the wallpaper design add more light into the room, so this could be something to consider if you feel a solid colour could be overwhelming. A similar colour to this would be Farrow & Ball’s Yeabridge Green, if you want to recreate this attention-grabbing style.

Natural influence

A statement ceiling can also be done in a more subtle manner that better fits the property. You may wish to draw attention to it by showcasing existing architectural features, such as wooden beams. If you have authentic timber beams in your home, you might wish to leave them unpainted to maximise their impact. If you do not have beams, they can be added with reclaimed wood to recreate the style.

In this kitchen, the wooden roof beams are the centrepiece of the room. The white cabinetry and solid wood worktop allow the natural appeal of the beams comes through and they complement the worktop beautifully for a cohesive look.

Credit: Pinterest

Let the light in

This dining area is eye-catching for its lack of ceiling. A skylight is a fantastic way to let light flood into your home and create an airy and welcoming space for the whole family whilst drawing the eye upwards. It will instantly imbue a more luxurious and expensive feel, and if this size is not attainable, well-placed smaller skylights will have a similar effect.

Credit: Amber Interior Design

Turn the light on

The quickest and easiest way to draw attention to your ceiling is by opting for a spectacular light fixture. Hanging lights sit right in your eyeline, so you will always be drawn to it – and the ceiling. Of course, it does not have to be as ornate and incredibly modern as this gold-coloured chandelier – there are many different lighting styles that will draw attention to it and the ceiling above.

You may not have considered treating your ceiling to an upgrade, but a statement ceiling can really transform a room – and it can be done on a budget, too. If you are planning to tackle yours, let us know what you would do below!